More

Suicide Squad: David Ayer & Margot Robbie Talk Harley Quinn Costume

The DC Extended Universe is currently moving forward full-speed ahead, following the theatrical release of Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. Comic book movie fans are waiting on bated breath to see if this summer's DCEU installment Suicide Squad is greeted with more of a universally-supportive response than what Batman V Superman earned, and a significant drawing factor in the film is that it marks the big screen debut of Harley Quinn.

There has been much fan discussion about everything that's been shown of Harley in the Suicide Squad marketing campaign thus far, including the costume that Harley sports in the film. In a new interview, Harley Quinn actor Margot Robbie (The Wolf of Wall Street, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot) and Suicide Squad writer/director David Ayer sheds some light on the choices that were made conquering Harley's look in the film (and why).

The Suicide Squad film is looking to make its own way in the DCEU by re-envisioning a number of DC Comics super-villains, including Deadshot (Will Smith), Killer Croc (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) and Harley Quinn. The look that Harley is sporting is ultra-modern with a bit of a Tank Girl flair, as opposed to her famous full jester bodysuit from her Batman: The Animated Series days. The white shirt and hot pants have been criticized for being too sexy by some, a claim which Robbie refutes:

"[Harley is] wearing hot pants because they’re sparkly and fun. [Not because] she wanted guys to look at her ass.”

Robbie went on to explain that she doesn't personally share Harley's feelings on the matter:

“As Margot, no, I don’t like wearing that. I’m eating burgers at lunchtime, and then you go do a scene where you’re hosed down and soaking wet in a white T-shirt, it’s so clingy and you’re self-conscious about it.”

Director David Ayer defended the wardrobe choice, based on modern versions of the character:

“I didn’t think denim overalls would be appropriate for that character, that’s part of the iconography."

Harley Quinn is most famously known as the on-again, off-again girlfriend and henchwoman to the Joker, but over the past decade she has managed to pull away from that mold and has gained a huge fan following all on her own, in the world of DC Comics. Her character was such an anomaly because she made her debut in Batman: The Animated Series, and was later written into DC comic book stories. The character has become a staple in Batman's rogues gallery and has found a key role in some of the modern Batman: Arkham video games, which is one of the places that her new look began to change.

The look of fan favorite heroes and villains is an important element of comic book film adaptations, but Robbie's performance will be what makes or breaks Harley Quinn. If Robbie can pull off the quirky, dark and off-color humor of the psychologist-turned-psychopath, then any costume concerns will likely be forgotten. As for Suicide Squad itself: it looks to be a change of pace for the DCEU. (If Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice is rock and roll, then Suicide Squad seems like punk rock.) Fortunately, the marketplace for off-color comic book films is good right now, so this group of rogues turned anti-heroes may yet win over filmgoers.

Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice is now playing in U.S. theaters. Suicide Squad will arrive on August 5, 2016, followed by Wonder Woman on June 2, 2017; Justice League Part One on November 17, 2017; The Flash on March 16, 2018; Aquaman on July 27, 2018; an untitled DC Film on October 5, 2018; Shazam on April 5, 2019; Justice League Part Two on June 14, 2019; an untitled DC film on November 1, 2019; Cyborg on April 3, 2020; and Green Lantern Corps on June 19, 2020.